Sunrise host and WA local Natalie Barr was emotional when speaking about her involvement with Telethon this year.
“Before (we head to the hospital), we have a brunch, where we get a crash-course reminder of basically why we’re here — I was crying from the first video they showed us.
“Actually, I’m tearing up now just thinking about it.”
Barr said it is the families that she meets that really make the importance of Telethon hit home.
“Everyone’s happy and excited to be here, but then we get these stories of these parents, who are out there just hoping their kids get better — it’s very emotional.”
Barr, who was raised in Western Australia before relocating to the Eastern States, said Teltehon has always had a special place in her heart.
This year the telecast went national, airing 24/7 on 7plus, as well as on the main free-to-air channel during last night.
Barr said she was thrilled a bigger audience are now able to see just how special the event is.
“I was in the phone room, and a call came through from someone from Victoria,” she said.
“They said, ‘We just turned on Channel 7 and saw this Telethon thing,’ and then they asked me how long it had been going.
“I said, ‘Oh, about 59 years!’
“They donated money, and then I also had someone from New South Wales donate and I was like, ‘Hang on a minute — this is great.’
While her co-star Matt Shirvington was on a flight back to Sydney on Sunday, Barr was able to extend her stay, sticking around for the Telethon Closing Celebration.
She has also tacked on some time to visit family.
“My mum is coming up,” she said.